Chapter 41

This chapter presents the reader with a perspective on what it means to cultivate therapeutic artistry from an existential-humanistic (E-H) lens. At the heart of E-H therapy training is attending to the therapist-student as a genuine person who is the instrument of the therapy. This chapter demonstrates two training models that illustrate how the person of the therapist is woven into the fabric of the learning experience. The first model is based on Jim Bugental's Art of the Psychotherapist training, a model that emphasized students' learning of how to cultivate presence to the subjective world of themselves and their clients. The second model is the Existential Humanistic Institute's certificate training program, which trains small groups of students and practicing therapists through a combination of theoretical learning and first-hand practice at experiential retreats. Each of these models are illustrated not only by the theory behind their implementation, but by direct student feedback about what was most poignant.

Orah T. Krug, Ph.D., is a licensed psychotherapist with a private practice in Oakland, and Sausalito, CA. She is a faculty member of Saybrook University, an editor for the Journal of Humanistic Psychology, and the clinical training director of the Existential-Humanistic Institute of San Francisco. EHI has recently launched a new Modular Training program and three certificate programs, one in partnership with Saybrook University that offers a Certificate in the Foundations of Existential-Humanistic Practice. Dr. Krug co-authored a textbook with Dr. Kirk Schneider entitled, Existential-Humanistic Therapy, part of a monograph series for the American Psychological Association and is is a co-author of the above chapter in the second edition of The Handbook of Humanistic Psychology entitled "Cultivating Psychotherapist Artistry: Model Existential-Humanistic Training Programs." She has produced two videos entitled, Conversations with Jim and "Joe" A Demonstration of the Consultation Process, with James Bugental. Her current research focuses on the relationship between existential meaning-making processes and therapeutic change. Dr. Krug may be reached at info[at}ehinstitute.org Attention: Orah Krug.

Read Orah's Presentation at DIV32 6th Annual APA Conference 2013:

Troy Piwowarski, Psy.D. Candidate, LLP is an Existential-Humanistic psychotherapist currently complete his doctorate in clinical psychology at the Michigan School of Professional Psychology in Detroit. He had previously been working with elders at AgeSong, an assisted living community with E-H roots in the Bay Area. As a doctoral student, Troy is passionately exploring what the E-H perspective has to offer, and is investigating through his dissertation how phenomenologically-minded therapists attune to their clients as persons-in-context. He has published one article on Terror Management Theory entitled "The Effects of Mortality Salience and Belief in Afterlife on the Manifestation of Homonegativity," is a co-author of the above chapter in the second edition of The Handbook of Humanistic Psychology entitled "Cultivating Psychotherapist Artistry: Model Existential-Humanistic Training Programs" and has assisted in editing two books by EHI President Nader Shabahangi.
Troy has been collaborating with the student outreach team as EHI launches its newest training program this year. He currently acts as student outreach coordinator for EHI, and is available to discuss questions regarding the certificate tracks and training programs.